2010
December 23, 2010 - Holiday Miracle or Common Sense? - Agencies Delay Applicability and Enforcement of Fully Insured Nondiscrimination Requirement
November 3, 2010 - HRAs and Waivers: Quick Action Required
November 2, 2010 - The “A” Accounts (FSA, HRA, HSA, MSA) - Reimbursing Over-the-Counter Medicine or Drugs on and after January 1, 2011
October 19, 2010 - Updated Certification of Dependent Status For Tax Purposes Now Available
October 12, 2010 - A Voice of Reasonableness: IRS Issues Interim Relief Regarding W-2 Reporting
September 24, 2010 – Don’t Forget About GINA!
September 15, 2010 - Health Care Reform’s Impact On The Tax Treatment Of Medical Benefits Provided To Children
July 23, 2010 - Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review Process Regulations – No Major Medical Plan Goes Untouched!
July 15, 2010 - Guidance Released Regarding Cost-Sharing and Preventive Services
July 14, 2010 - Guidance From The Minnesota Department Of Revenue Regarding Adult Children
June 30, 2010 - Important Update For Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Applicants Final Application Issued Yesterday
June 15, 2010 - Grandfathered Plan Guidance
June 2, 2010 - Minnesota Taxation of Health Care Coverage Provided to Certain Children
May 27, 2010 - Minnesota Taxation of Health Care Coverage Provided to Certain Children
May 6, 2010 - ALERT – Payroll Personnel Rejoice: Tax Free Coverage Rules Now Include “Adult Children”
Revised March 10, 2010 — Is the third time the “charm”?
COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended For Second Time
(originally issued March 5, 2010)March 8, 2010 — All the Hype about HIPAA and HITECH
Have you done anything about it?
2009
December 29, 2009 - If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again:
COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended
November 6, 2009 - ALERT – Red Flags Rule Delayed Again
October 20, 2009 – HIPAA Breach Notifications to HHS
September 23, 2009 - Breach Notification Requirements Now Effective
July 22, 2009 - More Money for Continuation Coverage/More Responsibilities for Employers.
June 18, 2009 - Complying with Minnesota’s New Cafeteria Plan Requirement
June 5, 2009 - Minnesota Continuation Law Amended To Allow Extended Election Period
June 5, 2009 - Changes To New Health Insurance Premium Reporting Requirement
March 27, 2009 - More New Developments Regarding Continuation Coverage Premium Subsidies.
March 26, 2009 - New Health Insurance Premium Reporting Requirement Impacts Minnesota Employers
March 3, 2009 - Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 Includes New HIPAA Special Enrollment Events
February 23, 2009- “Stimulus Package” Imposes Significant New Continuation Coverage Responsibilities on Employers – Effective Immediately
2008
December 19, 2008 – Bailout – Benefits Style: Last minute guidance from the IRS
November 13, 2008 – Attention Group Health Plans: CMS-Reporting Requirements
November 3, 2008 – NEW LAW AMENDS FEDERAL DEFINITION OF DEPENDENT
August 25, 2008 – IRS Reverses Course on Special Rules Applicable to Determination of Dependent Status in Cases of Divorce and Separation
August 5, 2008 – IRS Releases Final Regulations Impacting Definition of Dependent
July 1, 2008 – IRS Increases Mileage Rates
June 26, 2008 – New law impacting 403(b) plans sponsored by Minnesota school districts.
June 3, 2008 – Congress Passes Legislation Affecting Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
May 13, 2008 – Recent Developments Regarding HSAs, Cafeteria Plans, and Retiree Medical Benefits
March 11, 2008 – Minnesota “Fixes” HSA Rules Under State Income Tax Law
Client Alert: Annualizing Pay for School Employees: What you need to know BEFORE the 2008-2009 School Year and what you need to know NOW
2007
November 21, 2007 – Minnesota Supreme Court Decides Unused Vacation Pay Case
October 29, 2007 – 2007 Form 5500 Released
Attention Cafeteria Plan Sponsors: We are excited to tell you about our newest compliance package!
September 10, 2007 – Final IRS Regulations Issued Regarding Dependent Care Reimbursement Expenses
August 27, 2007 – Change in Definition of Dependent under Minnesota Insurance Law: Impact on Governmental Plans
August 3, 2007 – IRS Issues Proposed Regulations Under Section 125
July 16, 2007 – Change in Definition of Dependent under Minnesota Insurance Law
May 12, 2007 – IRS Release 2008 Limits for HSAs
February 23, 2007 – CMS Creditable Coverage Notification Deadline of March 1, 2007
February 1, 2007 – IRS Rules on Public Sector Post Employment HRA
January 9, 2007 – IRS To Issue Guidance on New HSA Rules
2006
December 25, 2006 – President Signs New HSA Legislation into Law
December 22, 2006 – Transitional Relief for Debit Cards Used at Certain Merchants
December 11, 2006 – Congress Revamps Rules for Health Savings Accounts; Law Expected to be Signed by President Soon
November 22, 2006 – IRS Releases Additional Guidance for Debit Cards and Smartcards Used for Qualified Transportation Fringes
November 11, 2006 – New Indexed Amounts for Health Savings Accounts and Transportation Fringe Benefits
November 2, 2006 – Pre-Planning for the End of 2006
October 31, 2006 – Annual Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice
October 27, 2006 – Active Duty National Guard Members Receive Tax Break on Early Retirement Account Withdrawals
October 26, 2006 – IRS Confirms & Clarifies Special Divorce Rules For Dependent Care Reimbursement Plans
October 24, 2006 – Unused Vacation Pay Case to be Reviewed by the Minnesota Supreme Court
September 6, 2006 – Employer Contributions To Health Savings Accounts Must Be Comparable
August 23, 2006 – The Importance of Providing COBRA Notification - And Being Able to Prove It
August 22, 2006 – New Law Allows Retired Public Safety Officers to Make Non-Taxable Withdrawals from Governmental Retirement Plans for Qualified Health Insurance Premiums
June 30, 2006 – HRA Updates for Public Sector Employers
June 5, 2006 – Dependent Care Reimbursement Expenses: New IRS Guidance
May 25, 2006 – "Member" For Purposes Of The Alternative Measurement Method Under GASB 45 May Be Broader Then You Think
May 10, 2006 – Last Day to Enroll in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan Offering Coverage for 2006
May 10, 2006 – AHP Legislation May Soon Be A Reality
April 20, 2006 – Department of Labor Advisory Letter Received
April 20, 2006 – Your Employee Benefit Plan Has Been Selected For An Audit.... Now What?
March 24, 2006 – Looming Health Plan Compliance Deadlines
February 20, 2006 – 2005 Year End IRS Guidance Summary
January 24, 2006 – Harry Beker Re-Confirms Death Benefit Provisions of HRAs
January 11, 2006 – New USERRA Regulations and Notice Posting Deadline
January 11, 2006 – MEWAs: File Your 2005 Form M-1 by March 1, 2006
January 3, 2006 – Guidance Issued by CMS (Creditable Coverage Notices)
2005
December 8, 2005 – Year End Alert: Federal Law Changes in 2005 and Clean Up
November 29, 2005 – IRS Issues Guidance Regarding FSA Grace Period and HSA Eligibility
November 4, 2005 – Indexed Amounts for Health Savings Accounts
October 19, 2005 – More on Post-Death Access under HRA Plans
Benefits Issues in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina
September 21, 2005 – Guidance on New Grace Period and DCAPs
July 11, 2005 – Adopting the New Grace Period: Not as Simple as it Looks
July 11, 2005 – Medicare Part D for Plan Sponsors: Get Ready, Get Set, Go
April 26, 2005 – Medicare Part D: Not Just About Retirees
April 13, 2005 – IRS issues Revenue Ruling 2005-24
April 1, 2005 – HIPAA Security Deadline
March 14, 2005 – HSA Reimbursement of Continuation Coverage
March 3, 2005 – Retiree Health Benefits
March 2, 2005 – FICA Taxes Applicable to 403(b) Contributions
February 16, 2005 – 401(a) Plans for Termination Pay
January 19, 2005 – State and Federal Law Changes Made in 2004 Impact Public Sector Programs
2004
December 21, 2004 – New Continuation Requirements Apply to All Military Leaves BEGINNING on or after December 10, 2004
December 1, 2004 – Changes to the Definition of "Dependent" Affect Medical Plans and Dependent Care Assistance Programs
November 9, 2004 – Contributions to HSA Not Excludable From Income Tax Under State Law